Proven Strategies in Competitive Intelligence: Lessons from the Trenches
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The Best Here is Amazingly Good
  • Nice Assortment of Articles, But Seen Them Before
Proven Strategies in Competitive Intelligence: Lessons from the Trenches
John E. Prescott
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471401781

Book Description

Tested-in-the-trenches competitive intelligence techniques used at today's top companies

This book brings together the best thinking and practices in competitive intelligence (CI) currently being used at many of today's most successful companies. Featuring contributions from leading industry executives, it covers CI strategies across a wide range of business functions, including marketing and sales, market research and forecasting, product development, and teams.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The Best Here is Amazingly Good.......2001-06-02

As with any anthology, some of the contributions are better than others. But the best case studies in this collection are of real value. In particular, I'd point to the case studies from Shell and other companies that describe how corporate intranets can be used to both collect competitive information from within your firm (sales reps, etc.) and then to make it availalbe firmwide, so that no one gets "blindsided." Any company that's not doing this doesn't understand, as one of the chapters puts it, the overriding importance of CI/Knowledge Management convergence.

I was also amazed by how forthright some of the contributors were, expecially the description of the organizational CI structures at firms such as P&G, Xerox and IBM. I don't know why they're sharing this, but these descriptions are worth the price of the book. Not that you'd want to copy them exactly, but it's vital to know how others organize their efforts in this regard.

And even the more "philosophical" contributions, include Robert Galvin's piece on CI at Motorola, were helpful.

No, it's not a really "how to" book, but it does reveal just how important CI now is to companies in the know, and why others should get onboard.

3 out of 5 stars Nice Assortment of Articles, But Seen Them Before.......2001-04-29

This book is a decent one for your library shelf. It includes a fair variety of articles, quite often featuring widely known names in the CI field. The idea of "proven" and "strategies" may be a bit misleading however, as some of these so-caled proven strategies were really philosphies, tactics or concepts that worked for a short time but were shown to be difficult to sustain. Witness the recent public difficulties at Procter & Gamble or Daimler Benz for example and you'll understand this.

For those people who read or have seen the CI Review, you'll recognize that these chapters first appeared as articles in that venue. Some of the chapters are now several years old, stale, and the individuals, departments or companies involved have undergone major shifts in their approaches to CI and to the topics of these articles. I should note that this doesn't mean that the information is invalid, indeed, it is helpful more often than not. However, "proven" strategies are enduring... some of the ones highlighted here were "practiced" for sure, but "proven" may be a bit of a marketing stretch. I'd still recommend this book to those individuals new to the field, and those who haven't accessed this material before in its other forms.
Greed and Corporate Failure: The Lessons from Recent Disasters
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Greed and Corporate Failure: The Lessons from Recent Disasters
    Stewart Hamilton , and Alicia Micklethwait
    Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 1403986363

    Book Description

    This is the book for anyone who wants to know what really lies behind the scandals and disasters of global business that have marred the first few years of the twenty-first century. Detailed studies of eight of the most famous recent failures identify six main causes: poor strategic decisions; over-expansion and ill-judged acquisitions; dominant CEOs; greed, hubris and a desire for power; failure of internal controls, and ineffective boards. The authors also set out what the prudent investor, board member or manager should be alert to but often is not.
    75 Best Business Practices for Socially Responsible Companies
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      75 Best Business Practices for Socially Responsible Companies
      Alan Reder
      Manufacturer: Tarcher
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 0874777836

      Amazon.com

      Eminently practical case studies from dozens of companies in a wide variety of business sectors. You are likely to find at least several examples that could be emulated by your company that would lead to increased social responsibility--and increased profitability.
      Scandals and Scoundrels: Seven Cases That Shook the Academy
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        Scandals and Scoundrels: Seven Cases That Shook the Academy
        Ron Robin
        Manufacturer: University of California Press
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        ASIN: 0520242491

        Book Description

        Ron Robin takes an intriguing look at the shifting nature of academic and public discourse in this incisive consideration of recent academic scandals--including charges of plagiarism against Stephen Ambrose, Derek Freeman's attempt to debunk Margaret Mead's research, Michael Bellesiles's alleged fabrication of an early America without weapons, Joseph Ellis's imaginary participation in major historical events of the 1960s, Napoleon Chagnon's creation and manipulation of a "Stone Age people," and accusations that Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú's testimony on the Maya holocaust was in part fiction. Scandals and Scoundrels makes the case that, contrary to popular imagery, we're not living in particularly deviant times and there is no fundamental flaw permeating a decadent academy. Instead, Robin argues, latter-day scandals are media events, tailored for the melodramatic and sensationalist formats of mass mediation. In addition, the contentious and uninhibited nature of cyberdebates fosters acrimonious exposure. Ron convincingly demonstrates that scandals are part of a necessary process of rule making and reinvention rather than a symptom of the bankruptcy of the scientific enterprise.
        The Killing of Karen Silkwood: The Story Behind the Kerr-McGee Plutonium Case, Second Edition
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • An important piece of recent American history.
        • An Excellent Addition to Studying Karen Silkwood!
        • Courage Where We Find It
        • One Conspiracy Theory That Just Might Be True
        • Outstanding
        The Killing of Karen Silkwood: The Story Behind the Kerr-McGee Plutonium Case, Second Edition
        Richard L. Rashke
        Manufacturer: Cornell University Press
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        Binding: Paperback

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        ASIN: 080148667X

        Book Description

        Karen Silkwood, an employee of the Kerr-McGee plutonium processing plant, was killed in a car crash on her way to deliver important documents to a newspaper reporter in 1974. Silkwood was a union activist concerned about health and safety issues at the plant, and her death at age twenty-eight was considered by many to be highly suspicious. Was it Kerr-McGee's revenge on a troublesome whistleblower? Or was it part of a much larger conspiracy reaching from the Atomic Energy Commission to the FBI and the CIA?

        Richard Rashke leads us through the myriad charges and countercharges, the theories and facts, and reaches conclusions based solely on the evidence in hand. Originally published in 1981, his book offers a vivid, edgy picture of the tensions that racked this country in the 1970s. However, the volume is not only an important historical document. Complex, fascinating characters populate this compelling insider's view of the nuclear industry. The issues it explores--whistleblowers, worker safety, the environment, and nuclear vulnerability--have lost none of their relevance today, twenty-six years after Silkwood's white Honda Civic was found trapped in a concrete culvert near Oklahoma City.

        For the Cornell edition, Rashke has written a Preface and three short chapters that explore what has been learned about Silkwood since the book's original publication, explain what happened to the various actors in the drama, and discuss the long-term effects of the events around Silkwood's death.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars An important piece of recent American history. .......2007-03-08


        When reality passes fantasy!

        The only book I've purchased twice.

        5 out of 5 stars An Excellent Addition to Studying Karen Silkwood!.......2006-06-05

        This book is not easy but it is readable if you pay attention to details about the nuclear industry. I suspect Karen's death was murder because she was getting too involved in trying to protect her colleagues and herself from getting cancer. Although the movie version changes the relationship between she and her housemate, this book explains so much more. It is a must have book involving a conspiracy that has never truly gone away. Kerr-McGee is still alive and well and thriving but Karen Gay Silkwood was an important and tragic heroine who died risking her life. She may not have been mother of the year to her three children but her contributions and searh for the truth about nuclear contamination is admirable. I know more about her and I like her. Of course, she is not flawless but human like the rest of us.

        5 out of 5 stars Courage Where We Find It.......2005-05-19

        Here is a story that has probably been largely forgotten, of a young woman who fought a powerful corporation and an inept government (and very likely died for her efforts), and the idealistic and courageous people who came together to discover the truth.

        If you were alive in the 70s you might remember Karen Silkwood, her mysterious death, and the court case that went on for years. At least two movies were made about her, but movies scripts can seldom tell the whole story or portray history with accuracy because of the demands of drama and story arc. So while I thought that I had a fairly good understanding of the events of Karen Silkwood's death, I have learned from reading this book that there was so very much more to the story. Not only was Silkwood incredibly brave, but the lawyers who took on her case were equally so. In more than one instance, Dan Sheehan, the lead attorney, must tell his investigator, "You're about to be killed. I've been contacted by the White House..."

        From rural Oklahoma and an undereducated young working class woman whose cause was simply to improve the working conditions for the employees in a Kerr-McGee plutonium plant, arose what was possibly a conspiracy that could rival any international spy network: FBI, CIA, NSA, the White House, double agents, foreign powers, death threats, and more. How could such a simple woman as Karen Silkwood become involved in this level of intrigue? Richard Rashke did a masterful job of research, presenting the evidence in such a way that the reader can evaluate the evidence himself.

        If Silkwood's story were not true, this book would stand as spirited fiction and would make better reading than many a spy novel; but Silkwood's story is true and this book exposes the depth of corruption, greed, cover-ups, and abuse of power that our government practiced in the 60s and 70s, and probably still practices today. The difference then though, is that exposing the government's actions led to reform-today, no one seems to care.

        5 out of 5 stars One Conspiracy Theory That Just Might Be True.......2003-10-18

        I became interested in Karen Silkwood after watching the 1983 movie "Silkwood". The film seemed to suggest that Silkwood was murdered, but a number of reviews I subsequently read dismissed "Silkwood" as an irresponsible docudrama that was based on sensationalism rather than fact.

        After reading Richard Rashke's "The Killing of Karen Silkwood", I'd have to say that the film didn't take its allegations far enough. Based on thousands of pages of court documents, including depositions, sworn statements, internal memos, and federal records, Rashke makes a convincing case for the following:

        Silkwood was deliberately contaminated with plutonium by someone at Kerr-McGee, perhaps on several occasions. Had she lived, Silkwood had a good likelihood of developing cancer because of the significant exposure she experienced.

        Silkwood was most likely carrying important documents the night she was murdered; among other things, she had proof that 42.5 pounds of plutonium was missing from K-M's Cimarron plant, which is enough to make three or four nuclear bombs.

        Security at the Cimarron plant was dangerously lax, as were safety measures. Workers received little education in regards to nuclear energy or the safety risks that accompany it, and consequently contamination was not taken seriously by employees.

        Union members' (and particularly Karen Silkwood's) rights were repeatedly violated by K-M officials, who continually interfered in union activities and even began to spy on Silkwood.

        However, the conspiracy surrounding Silkwood's death became even more heinous and inconceivable as Silkwood's side investigated in preparation for trial. Though the truth will probably never be known, Rashke lays out a compelling - though sketchy - account, involving the FBI, the CIA, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Justice Department, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and a shadowy network of Iranians, Russians, and Israelis. Rashke hints at an international plutonium smuggling ring, and supplies evidence that the FBI was responsible for illegally and covertly spying on a number of organizations as late as the mid-1970s, including various labor unions and their members - and Silkwood was one of their targets.

        Rashke's story might sound unbelievable, but most of it is based on public court documents. His interviews with the assorted players in the case may be less trustworthy; yet, many statements are corroborated by court papers. Also lending credence to the Silkwood camp's version of the story is the fact that several significant witnesses died, disappeared, or were threatened during the investigation and ensuing court case. Additionally, the Silkwood lawyers and investigator received death threats and were followed and even assaulted - one must wonder why, if the Silkwood case was wholly without merit. Especially appalling is the federal government's role in the affair, and their failure to cooperate with the civil case.

        "Who Killed Karen Silkwood" reads like a novel - it's a compelling book that's hard to put down. Indeed, I expect that I won't soon be able to forget about Silkwood's story and its larger implications. I'm far from what you'd call a conspiracy nut (though I love the X-Files, I identify with Scully as opposed to Mulder!) - yet, the evidence in this case is as convincing as it is frightening. The final two pages will simply blow you away.

        My only gripe - Rashke's update to the 2nd edition of the book (released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Silkwood's death) was sorely lacking. He made no mention of what's become of those involved in the case; of any information, either directly or indirectly related to the case, that's been discovered since the end of the investigation; or of the movie, which was a critical and box-office success. Rashke coins the newest section "The Legacy", but he doesn't discuss Silkwood's legacy even briefly. The new chapters focus on the court battles since May 1979 and K-M's troubles with and termination of their nuclear program, but speak little of Silkwood.

        5 out of 5 stars Outstanding.......2001-11-17

        I have yet to encounter a non- fiction piece so captivating and hard to put down as The Killing of Karen Silkwood. This book goes far beyond her life as depicted in the movie, and the story behind all the people who believed in her and sacrificed tremendous amounts of time and energy at great personal danger to themselves after her death is phenomenal. What really amazed me was the sheer number of government agencies that were involved in spying on and covering up evidence as revealed through depositions, leaks, and court ordered documents. So many that no one seemed to be able to link them together (not even among themselves) except Silkwood's legal and investigative team. I had no idea so many police type agencies existed. It really is unsettling. The research this author did feels exhausting it is so through. The story goes on for over 10 years after her death, and it is well worth reading. It is alot more than just a private citizen (survivors) suing a private corporation. This book is reprinted after many years since it's original publication with several follow-up chapters added. The added chapters really tease you especially where the author indicated that a confidential inside source revealed that they saw a file that documented that the FBI knew very clearly who killed Karen Silkwood.
        Enron: The Rise and Fall
        Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
        • Incredibly boring
        • Insightful!
        • Read in conjunction with Smith/Emshwiller
        • Solid
        • A "fair and balanced" treatment that can cure insomnia
        Enron: The Rise and Fall
        Loren Fox
        Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

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        ASIN: B000F3UQT2

        Book Description

        "I'd say you were a carnival barker, except that wouldn't be fair tocarnival barkers. A carnie will at least tell you up front that he's running a shell game. You, Mr. Lay, were running what purported to be the seventh largest corporation in America."-Senator Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL) to Enron CEO Kenneth Lay, Senate Commerce Science & Transportation's Subcommittee, Hearing on Enron, 2/12/02
        The speed of Enron's rise and fall is truly astonishing and perhaps the single most important story of corporate failure in the twenty-first century. In Enron investigative journalist Loren Fox promises readers nothing short of the most compelling and insightful investigation into Enron's meteoric ascent-regarded by Wall Street and the media as the epitome of innovation-and its spectacular fall from grace. In a lively and authoritative manner, Fox discusses how the biggest corporate bankruptcy in American business history happened, why for so long no one (except for an enlightened few) saw it coming, and what its impact will be on financial markets, the U.S. economy, U.S. energy policy, and the public for years to come. With access to many company insiders, Fox's intriguing account of this corporate debacle also provides an overview of the corporate culture and business model that led to Enron's high-flying success and disastrous failure. The story of Enron is one that will reverberate in global financial and energy markets as well as in criminal and civil courts for years to come. Rife with all the elements of a classic thriller-scandal, dishonest accounting, personal greed, questionable campaign contributions, suicide-Enron captures the essence of a company that went too far too fast.

        Download Description

        "I'd say you were a carnival barker, except that wouldn't be fair tocarnival barkers. A carnie will at least tell you up front that he's running a shell game. You, Mr. Lay, were running what purported to be the seventh largest corporation in America."-Senator Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL) to Enron CEO Kenneth Lay, Senate Commerce Science & Transportation's Subcommittee, Hearing on Enron, 2/12/02
        The speed of Enron's rise and fall is truly astonishing and perhaps the single most important story of corporate failure in the twenty-first century. In Enron investigative journalist Loren Fox promises readers nothing short of the most compelling and insightful investigation into Enron's meteoric ascent-regarded by Wall Street and the media as the epitome of innovation-and its spectacular fall from grace. In a lively and authoritative manner, Fox discusses how the biggest corporate bankruptcy in American business history happened, why for so long no one (except for an enlightened few) saw it coming, and what its impact will be on financial markets, the U.S. economy, U.S. energy policy, and the public for years to come. With access to many company insiders, Fox's intriguing account of this corporate debacle also provides an overview of the corporate culture and business model that led to Enron's high-flying success and disastrous failure. The story of Enron is one that will reverberate in global financial and energy markets as well as in criminal and civil courts for years to come. Rife with all the elements of a classic thriller-scandal, dishonest accounting, personal greed, questionable campaign contributions, suicide-Enron captures the essence of a company that went too far too fast.

        Customer Reviews:

        2 out of 5 stars Incredibly boring .......2006-01-09

        Loren Fox's account of the Enron debacle is one of the more boring written on what was a fascinating story of greed and corporate immorality. I have read three books regarding the downfall of Enron (The Smartest Guys in the Room and Anatomy of Greed being the others), and this was the most difficult read of the three, by far.

        First, Fox's account reads more like a Harvard Business School case study than anything else. For some, this may be attractive, but explaining forwards, swaps and various other derivatives over three pages isn't the most exciting reading one can do. It is valuable if you really want to dig into Enron's beginnings with "asset light" philosophy, but one really only needs this level of detail if they are delving into the corporate world of derivatives and trading. For the rest of us, it is uneccessary and quite boring. Given the time Enron: The Rise and Fall was written (shortly after the bankruptcy), it is insightful. Also given that it was written before The Smartest Guys in the Room was released, it was at one time probably the best of the bunch. Now that other information has been released via congressional hearings and other written accounts, the information provided by Fox reads like a textbook.

        Another problem is that Fox misses much of the personality of the executives and other employees of Enron. He admitedly has little to go by other than written records at that time, and has little more than detailed accounts of Enron's activities to show for it. While important to describe in detail how Enron evolved into the company it became, he misses the personalities behind the evolution. For instance, the corporate structure was such that people from every division within the company clashed at every turn. This is a mere mention in Fox's account, whereas in The Smartest Guys in the Room, this is an important part of the Enron downfall. Also, the California debacle is mentioned briefly in The Rise and Fall, but without the detail that the other story gives. What is just as important about the rise and (if not more importantly) the fall of Enron, are the egomaniacal personalities behind the company. These personalities are not described in nearly enough detail in The Rise and Fall, leaving the story bland and lacking.

        What is left is a textbook story of Enron that leaves out much of the drama of the real Enron. While I appreciate that Fox avoided some of the Hollywood, daytime television aspects of Enron (unlike The Smartest Guys in the Room or Anatomy of Greed) to merely sell books, much of this aspect of the Enron story is important to the overall tale of "The Rise and Fall." Unfortunately, it is missing in Fox's book.

        4 out of 5 stars Insightful!.......2004-08-31

        Enron's story seems to have happened all at once. There was a big company with a stock price shooting for the stars and, then, suddenly there was a massive fraud, and the two things came so close together it was like hearing the explosion from a fireworks display after you've seen the light in the sky. Loren Fox's account was one of the first books about Enron and remains one of the best. The author is a skillful, diligent reporter who managed to get the story first and get it right, although Enron did not authorize his book or cooperate with him. His discussion of the company's complex, illegal accounting maneuvers is thorough and, if not quite clear, certainly complete. The book was written during the relatively early stages of the legal proceedings against the architects of the Enron fraud, so a lot of the material uncovered by Justice Department and SEC investigators was not yet available. The demerit of this is that Fox was not able to include much that is now common knowledge about Enron. However, we find that there is an advantage as well: Fox was not excessively guided or directed by common knowledge and conventional wisdom, but instead carved his own path through the thicket of Enron's weird and instructive history.

        4 out of 5 stars Read in conjunction with Smith/Emshwiller.......2004-01-20

        This book, plus "24 Days," together tell you everything you need to know about the fall of Enron. This one covers the "rise" better, that one covers the "fall."

        What one ought to take away from both books is the realization that, despite the failure and indeed despite the evident criminality, Enron (as Fox says in his epilogue), "wasn't a complete hoax. The company deserved admiration for its early forays into trading gas and electricity, and for its plunge into the innovative financing of energy projects. It out-maneuvered the old-line energy companies to expand the use of derivatives in the energy industry. This introduced new ways of managing risk, which lowered the costs of energy-related transactions for an array of businesses."

        Another reviewer has said that the Fox book is a cure for insomnia. The fact is that if you need to have material on Enron MADE interesting for you by dramatic presentation, by a well-shaped narative flow, then you may have trouble with Fox, simply because he lets the material speak for itself.

        Sometimes it speaks in ambiguous tones.

        5 out of 5 stars Solid.......2003-09-27

        Good, solid background on the history of Enron and its missteps. If you're interested in one stop shopping for an understanding of Enron the corporation from start to finish, this is the best out there so far.

        3 out of 5 stars A "fair and balanced" treatment that can cure insomnia.......2003-09-18

        I've read several Enron books, from Cruver's poor product to Lynn Brewer's silly treatise, and I have to say that this one is probably more accurate and balanced than any of the others, but..... it's a real snorefest. Any author that can take a fascinating story like this and put a reader to sleep with it is not really overachieving in my view.

        I guess Fox couldn't get anyone significant to talk to him and maybe that held him back some, but it didn't keep Cruver and Brewer and Swartz from producing more entertaining stuff in their efforts which were similarly unencumbered by input from people who were really making it happen. Oh well, he produced a "fair and balanced" treatment that just might help you with that insomnia thing.
        Foundations of Law: Cases, Commentary and Ethics (West Legal Studies)
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Foundations of Law: Cases, Commentary and Ethics (West Legal Studies)
          C. Ransford Pyle , and Carol M. Bast
          Manufacturer: Cengage Delmar Learning
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

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          1. Foundations of Legal Research and Writing (West Legal Studies Series) Foundations of Legal Research and Writing (West Legal Studies Series)
          2. Visions for Change: Crime and Justice in the Twenty-First Century (4th Edition) Visions for Change: Crime and Justice in the Twenty-First Century (4th Edition)
          3. Civil Litigation (West Legal Studies) Civil Litigation (West Legal Studies)
          4. Legal Research Illustrated, 8th Ed. Legal Research Illustrated, 8th Ed.
          5. Criminology (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac ) Criminology (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac )

          ASIN: 1418013846

          Book Description

          In the fourth edition of Foundations of Law, concentration on the overview of American law and its legal system permeates the book to assist readers in preparation for advanced study. Over forty excerpted judicial opinions are used to illustrate basic themes, and instructive case studies are presented to challenge users beyond acquiring knowledge, so that thorough understanding of concepts and their application in difficult scenarios can be achieved. Each chapter is designed for one week of study, and is written with clarity and conciseness to facilitate comprehension of the material. The addition of chapter review questions and websites promote learning and retention.
          Barbarians at the Gate Low Price CD
          Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
          • Excellent
          • Stranger Than Fiction
          • Barbarians at the Gate audio book
          • The business classic
          • The business book of business books
          Barbarians at the Gate Low Price CD
          Bryan Burrough
          Manufacturer: HarperAudio
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Audio CD

          Company ProfilesCompany Profiles | Biography & History | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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          1. Liar's Poker: Rising Through the Wreckage on Wall Street Liar's Poker: Rising Through the Wreckage on Wall Street
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          5. Monkey Business: Swinging Through the Wall Street Jungle Monkey Business: Swinging Through the Wall Street Jungle

          ASIN: 0061232084
          Release Date: 2007-04-03

          Book Description

          Barbarians at the Gate has been called one of the most influential business books of all time–the definitive account of the largest takeover in Wall Street history. Bryan Burrough and John Helyar's gripping account of the frenzy that overtook Wall Street in October and November of 1988 is the story of deal makers and publicity flaks, of strategy meetings and society dinners, of boardrooms and bedrooms–giving us not only a detailed look at how financial operations at the highest levels are conducted but also a richly textured social history of wealth at the twilight of the Reagan era.

          Download Description

          With more than 500,000 copies sold, Barbarians at the Gate is the definitive account of the largest takeover in Wall Street history: the frenzy of strategy meetings and society dinners, of boardrooms and bedrooms -- giving us the view from the top of the financial ladder to the social history of wealth at the twilight of the Reagan era.

          Over six months on the New York Times bestseller list, Barbarians at the Gate is the definitive account of the largest takeover in Wall Street history. Bryan Burrough and John Helyar's gripping record of the frenzy that overtook Wall Street in October and November of 1988 is the story of deal makers and pulicity flaks, of strategy meetings and society dinners, of boardrooms and bedrooms, giving us not only an unprecedentedly detailed look at how financial operations at the highest levels are conducted but also a richly textured social history of wealth at the twilight of the Reagan era. As compelling as a novel, Barbarians at the Gate is must reading for everyone interested in the way today's world really works.

          Customer Reviews:

          5 out of 5 stars Excellent.......2007-10-21

          No one that works at financial markets can afford loosing this book. It's historical and wonderful. The audio book I bought was to listen on the way to work. It's perfect.

          4 out of 5 stars Stranger Than Fiction.......2007-09-22

          A takeover story that reads like a Jeffrey Archer novel, Barbarians at the Gate is a meticulously detailed account of the takeover of RJR Nabisco by KKR in the late 80s. The authors were WSJ journalists who covered the story for the Journal and the book does a great job of communicating the tension and intrigue of those six weeks in 1988. The book does slack in pace at times but the story keeps you engaged. Recommended.

          5 out of 5 stars Barbarians at the Gate audio book.......2007-09-02

          Great book. Great format. I listened to it on the plane. A must read business book - goes along with reading the art of war and the prince.

          5 out of 5 stars The business classic.......2007-08-20

          Simply compulsive. If you have an interest in business and finance or people, greed and behaviour this is a must read. In many ways this story reflects a broadly held image of the 1980's and its culture of excess that was abound in our worlds financial capitals.

          This is a gripping read; the story of the battle for RJR Nabisco and the characters involved contains many elements of the best fiction with the distinct difference of this story being true. Whilst the business finally conducted may not have been the finest work of the venerable KKR it was important mainly due to its Herculean scale which was at the time unprecedented.

          This book is simply a must read on many levels. Since it was first published in 1990 it has gripped the imagination of many and has kindled an interest in business reaching far and wide.

          5 out of 5 stars The business book of business books.......2007-08-05

          To say this book was expertly written, would be an understatement. The authors craft the perfect description of an LBO, with all the players, transactions, and affects on peples lives. How they were able to get inside as well as they did, is really beyond me. This is one for the ages and should be read in Business schools.
          The I Hate Corporate America Reader: How Big Companies from McDonald's to Microsoft Are Destroying Our Way of Life ("I Hate" Series, The)
          Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
          • Should be a required reading to all college students
          • Great anthology...
          • Excellent reading
          The I Hate Corporate America Reader: How Big Companies from McDonald's to Microsoft Are Destroying Our Way of Life ("I Hate" Series, The)

          Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

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          4. The I Hate Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, Sean Hannity. . . Reader: The Hideous Truth About America's Ugliest Conservatives The I Hate Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, Sean Hannity. . . Reader: The Hideous Truth About America's Ugliest Conservatives
          5. Managing Corporate Reputation and Risk: A Strategic Approach Using Knowledge Management Managing Corporate Reputation and Risk: A Strategic Approach Using Knowledge Management

          ASIN: 1560256354

          Book Description

          Americans are beginning to take note that large corporations are at the heart of what ails our country—from job losses to mad cow disease to pollution to rising cancer rates to obesity to empire building. Every week brings new headlines of some new outrage by companies ranging from the former Enron and Halliburton to McDonald’s and Wal-Mart; meanwhile, other crimes are hidden from public view. This book will energize, empower, entertain, and mobilize readers who are disgusted with the behavior of the corporate powers-that-be. Some of America's most influential writers—such as Molly Ivins, Erik Schlosser, Arianna Huffington, Jim Hightower, and others—offer their views on price-fixing and other anticompetitive practices that boost consumer prices, anti-labor tactics (often illegal), near-slave wages and working conditions, marketing practices, drug tests, and other activities that destroy worker and consumer privacy, overseas sweat shops (complete with sex slaves) run by U.S. companies, environmental violations that lead to higher cancer rates and other disease, armies of corporate lobbyists who bribe our lawmakers and judges, unsafe products that endanger our lives and our children's lives, corporate downsizing, benefit cutbacks, and job exporting, and—last, but not least—overpaid executives and board members who rip off shareholders and workers.

          Customer Reviews:

          5 out of 5 stars Should be a required reading to all college students.......2005-08-31

          This is a collection of articles brilliantly composed. Factual quality and research depth reflected by these well-written articles are impressive and respectable. A light touch humor made the reading even more enjoyable - at least for those who are not offended by the truth about corporate America.

          From global warming issue to deceptive schemes in marketing strategies, the over-the-law and Enron-flavored attitudes of corporate Ameica were finally addressed and brought to the attention of the public. This book deserves to be a part of all students' education and thus, should be introduced to all highschool and college students. My 16-year-old really enjoyed the book and has lent it out to many friends.

          5 out of 5 stars Great anthology..........2005-04-13

          The editors do a great job taking writings from diverse journals and magazines and putting them into a great anthology.

          One subject area flows well into the next, and we are brought further and further down the road of a very terrifying trend in modern capitalism.

          Even if your goal is to become a CEO, read this to understand just how corrupt and twisted is modern business. Read it to understand what kind of pact you are making with Satan.

          Amazing work guys. more!!!

          5 out of 5 stars Excellent reading.......2005-02-04

          As a former corporate CEO and advocate for getting special interest money out of our political system, I found this supporting my goals and was naturally drawn to it. It contains many essays adding weight to the subject.

          Campaign funding allows corporations to get away with murder (sometimes literally) and it's just a matter of time before the public rebels strongly enough by throwing the current breed of politicians out. This book gives them reason to make that sooner rather than later.
          Companies with a Conscience: Intimate Portraits of Twelve Firms That Make a DIfference, Third Edition
          Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
          • Entertaining and Perceptive
          • Just What I Needed
          • Doubts...maybe outdated and incorrect info
          • What an inspiration!
          Companies with a Conscience: Intimate Portraits of Twelve Firms That Make a DIfference, Third Edition
          Howard Rothman , and Mary Scott
          Manufacturer: The Publishing Cooperative/MyersTempleton Books
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

          Company ProfilesCompany Profiles | Biography & History | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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          LeadershipLeadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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          Natural ResourcesNatural Resources | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
          Philanthropy & CharityPhilanthropy & Charity | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
          ASIN: 0972274154

          Book Description

          Required reading at universities and business schools across the country, Companies With A Conscience is the story of corporate America at its best. "Caring capitalism," as these twelve companies prove, is not only decent, but also profitable. For them—and many more—strong employee and community relations, as well as concern for the environment, are just as important as the bottom line. Above all, they are companies with a heart whose stories are not only exemplary, but also inspiring. Companies profiled are: America Works, Ben & Jerry's, Birkenstock USA, Celestial Seasonings, Greyston Bakery, Interface, Kansas City Chiefs, Patagonia, Shorebank, Stonfield Farm, Sunrise Medical and Tattered Cover Book Store.

          Customer Reviews:

          5 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Perceptive.......2004-02-12

          Finally! An entertaining and perceptive book about socially responsible companies that clearly shows how some of the best in the business are combining ethics and profitability over the long haul. The chapters on Ben & Jerry's, Patagonia and Celestial Seasonings reveal insight that I have not seen elsewhere - largely because of the insider's perspective that the authors gained from studying these firms so closely for over 10 years. But the chapters on lesser-known enterprises like ShoreBank, Sunrise Medical and America Works may be the real gems, detailing the various ways they are really improving their customers' lives while functioning successfully under the constraints of a for-profit world. (Of course, as a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, I am obviously partial to the chapter that describes how community minded the team is!) This is truly a great read, and will definitely prove valuable to anyone who would like to imbue their business with the kind of values that are all too rare today.

          5 out of 5 stars Just What I Needed.......2004-01-14

          A terrific little book that's inspiring and entertaining for both employers and employees. I'm glad to know it's ending up on the required reading lists of so many business schools. As someone who runs a fairly large company, I found the chapter on "The 13 Lessons of Conscientious Leadership" a great addition to my "managerial toolbox ".

          2 out of 5 stars Doubts...maybe outdated and incorrect info.......2000-05-31

          Don't know about now, but just as an example, according to a report in 1998, Espirit made some of its clothes in sweatshops paying as little as $0.13 per hour and horrible working conditions. You call that a socially responsible company?

          5 out of 5 stars What an inspiration!.......1999-07-12

          I just read this book for a course I'm taking, and while it is a little outdated it is the best look at "socially responsible" business people that I have been able to find. I would like to find out what these companies are up to today and hope the authors have an update in mind.

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          1. Rich Dad's Advisors®: The ABC's of Building a Business Team That Wins: The Invisible Code of Honor That Takes Ordinary People and Turns Them Into a Championship Team (Rich Dad's Advisors)
          2. Run With the Bulls Without Getting Trampled: The Qualities You Need to Stay Out of Harm's Way and Thrive at Work
          3. Sensemaking in Organizations (Foundations for Organizational Science)
          4. Social Strategy & Corporate Structure (Studies of the Modern Corporation)
          5. Social Work Values and Ethics (Foundations of Social Work Knowledge Series)
          6. Spiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership and Change
          7. Standards of Practice Handbook, 9th Edition
          8. Surveillance Countermeasures: A Serious Guide To Detecting, Evading, And Eluding Threats To Personal Privacy
          9. Survival of the Savvy: High-Integrity Political Tactics for Career and Company Success
          10. Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire: The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56

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